The Prince George Spruce Kings have won a playoff series for the first time in 10 years. The Spruce Kings edged the Langley Rivermen 3-2 before 1,352 enthusiastic fans at the PG Coliseum to win the best of seven Mainland Division semi-final 4-2. First star Jesse Jenks made 28 saves for the Spruce Kings, who were outshot 30-24 in the penalty filled game. Langley opened and closed the scoring, but in between Brogan O’Brien tallied twice in the first period and Braiden Epp fired home the winner in the 2nd.
–The Spruce Kings advance to the best of seven Mainland Division final against the Chilliwack Chiefs. The first two games are in Chilliwack Friday and Saturday before the series shifts to Prince George on Monday and Tuesday.
Photo: Courtesy of the PG Spruce Kings
–One BCHL first round series is going the distance. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will play a 7th and deciding game tonight in Nanaimo against the Clippers. Alberni Valley has battled back from a 3-0 series deficit. The winner will play the Powell River Kings in the Island Division final. The Interior best of seven final will start Saturday with Vernon at Penticton.
–The Prince George Cougars are on the road for three games in four nights starting this evening in Kamloops. The Cougars lead the Blazers by four points with six to play in the chase for 3rd place in the BC Division and a playoff spot. The Cats also visit Tri-City Friday and Portland Saturday before facing the Blazers again three times next week, two of them at CN Centre. Kamloops has a home and home this weekend against Kelowna.
–The Vancouver Giants continue to fade as they lost their 7th straight game 4-3 to the Spokane Chiefs. The last place Giants are four points behind Tri-City for a wild card spot and six back of third place Prince George in the BC Division. Vancouver has just five games left, three this weekend against Victoria and two the following weekend against Kelowna.
–The Major Midget Cariboo Cougars host the South Island Royals in a best of three BCMML semi-final series this weekend at Kin 1. Games go Friday at 5pm, Saturday at 1pm & Sunday, if necessary, at 8:15am.
–The PGSS Polars take to the court at the Provincial Boys Quad A Basketball Championship in Langley. PGSS plays its opener tonight at 8:15 against Kelowna.
–Nechako Valley is also in Langley for the BC Boys Double A Basketball Provincials. NVSS is up against Southridge in its first game this evening at 5:15.
–PG snowboard athletes Meryete O’Dine and Evan Bichon compete this week at the Junior World Championships in China. Both are part of the Canadian 11 member team in snowboardcross.
–Summit Insurance outscored Cap-abilities 7-4 and 4-3 in the first two games of the best of five final in Prince George Masters Ball Hockey at the Roll-a-Dome.